Tapsearch Com EditorNew federal hate crime law considered
March 9th 2007 02:40
Volokh has an absolutely indispensable post about hate crime laws. Read the whole thing. The poster systematically destroys the argument for tougher federal hate crimes legislation. Most importantly, there is no reason for the federal as opposed to state government to get involved at all.
Here's my take on hate crime laws: The most compelling anecdotes for them are the ones where they're most unnecessary. A rapist or first-degree murderer should spend the rest of his life in prison, regardless of why he committed the crime.
Where hate crime laws help, though, is in smaller cases. For instance, burning a cross on someone's front lawn -- "trespassing" just doesn't sum up the harm done.
Hat tip: Instapundit.
By Robert VerBruggen
Here's my take on hate crime laws: The most compelling anecdotes for them are the ones where they're most unnecessary. A rapist or first-degree murderer should spend the rest of his life in prison, regardless of why he committed the crime.
Where hate crime laws help, though, is in smaller cases. For instance, burning a cross on someone's front lawn -- "trespassing" just doesn't sum up the harm done.
Hat tip: Instapundit.
By Robert VerBruggen
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